Valley Beth Shalom Internet and Email List Policy
Version 2.1.1 9/22/2004

The purpose of the VBS Synagogue web site and email lists is to foster communication within the Synagogue community by providing information about the Synagogue and its programs as well as an online forum for congregants to express their viewpoints and debate a wide range of topics. We want to use the Internet to help achieve our mission of building a "Family of Families" in which members are spiritually fulfilled, educated in the Conservative Jewish tradition, and committed to Judaism from generation to generation.

These guidelines are meant to be broad and long-range, while at the same time, subject to revision. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Users are expected to respect the rights of others and observe relevant laws and regulations. Email correspondence should be treated with the same privacy and confidentiality as one would any other communication. The synagogue and its moderators have the right to remove material they deem illegal or inappropriate in postings and remove people from the lists if warranted.

The following guidelines (“Netiquette”) are intended to help everyone participate in a communal, respectful way on the lists:

• Messages sent to other users should always identify the sender by containing their full name.
• Consider everything sent through the lists to be public and permanent: be careful what you send!
• Do not quote private email in postings without the author's permission.
• The web site and lists are not to be used for private business purposes.
• Don't use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS in your posts. This practice is called "shouting."
• Messages are not to be forwarded outside of the list unless all names are removed or consent is obtained from everyone mentioned in the message.
• Do not paste material directly into a message, send a link instead (copy it from your browser’s address box)
• Do not reply to the entire list if the message is intended for a single person: email them directly.
• Rude and/or offensive behavior will not be tolerated: you can be banned from the lists at the moderator’s discretion.
• Don't threaten, abuse, or slander people. Don't post copyrighted material without the permission of the publisher. You are responsible and legally liable for your postings, and you could be sued. Take this seriously -- it has happened.
• Try to be nice to each other. Feel free to be critical, but be polite. Avoid attacking people's intelligence or character. Don't post comments which you wouldn't say to a person face-to-face. Remember: you might see them next week.
• Sarcasm doesn’t work well in email messages.
• Be coherent and concise. People hate long rambling articles which don't get to the point quickly.
• Avoid unnecessary quoting. It is considered very bad form to quote all of a long article and then add a single line of text saying "me too." Only quote text which is directly relevant to your replies. Place your replies so that they immediately follow the relevant sections of quoted text.
• Don't post test messages to the lists.
• If you change the topic of conversation in the middle of a thread, change the subject header.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your participation in the lists and adherence to these guidelines will make our online synagogue community stronger!

Click here to join the list.

Click here to leave the list.

Click here to change your list settings (just "re-join").

Click here to email the head moderator of the list with questions or concerns.

"Moderators" on the list ensure that the guidelines are followed and that things do not get out of hand. All posts to the list are first approved by them. They follow these guidelines:

Valley Beth Shalom Email List Moderation Policy
Version 1.0 6/27/2006

Guidelines

Tips

Approximate Coverage Hours and Turnaround Times

Appeals Process